EMS Tips on Differentiating AV Blocks
To be able to identify each type of AV block, emergency medicine providers should be familiar with the definition and characteristics of each type. You'll find hundreds more of study aids for EMS students and providers in the members' area.
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From Episode 203 of the MedicCast Podcast
Tip This Week- AV Blocks
An atrioventricular block is defined as a conduction disorder of the nervous impulse at the level of the atrioventricular junction, i.e. between the atrium and the ventricle. AV blocks can be further classified into categories.
- First degree AV block corresponds to a simple slowing of the atrioventricular conduction and appears with an extension between the atrium and the ventricle activity.
- Second degree AV block is characterized by atrial impulses that fail to conduct to the ventricles. It can further be classified in 2 types.
- Third degree AV block is the complete dissociation between atria and ventricles with independent atrial and ventricular activities.
For a more comprehensive review on AV blocks, follow links below.
Video on Differentiating AV Blocks
Atrioventricular Block by eMedicine
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Video Review (watch here or use download link below)
MP3 Review (click to play or use download link below)
(To download the files, right click the links above and select “save as”)
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